Chamber gala to celebrate its 15th anniversary

Updated 11:09 pm, Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce will hold its 15th annual Crystal Winter Gala next month at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Chamber director Darren Piper, left, is chairman of the event this year. Joining him are, from left to right, director and past gala chairwoman Cindie Niemiera, Chamber president Cheryl Bakewell, director and gala nominating committee member Andrea Rynn and Mike Schultz, who helped organize the first gala. For Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce Business Quarterly, December 2012.
Photo: Deborah Rose

The Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce will hold its 15th...

Sherry Creighton looks on as Alfredo Calderon of Union Savings Bank in New Milford snaps a keepsake photo of Jeff Kilberg of Nicholas/Tobin Insurance and his wife, Marina, during the Chamberís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield.
Photo: Deborah Rose

Photographer, sculptor and community volunteer Ray Crawford of New Milford was honored with the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís Lifetime Achievement award during the Chamber's 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. More than 200 area business folks, town officials and other VIP were on hand for the event. Jan. 28, 2012
Photo: Deborah Rose

Photographer, sculptor and community volunteer Ray Crawford of New...

Gathered for a keepsake photo are, from left to right, Dana Clark of Clark Construction in New Milford, Kristina and Matthew Epstein of Epstein Productions in New Milford, and Kevin Bielmeier of Ability Beyond Disability and his wife, Josie, during the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield.
Photo: Deborah Rose

Gathered for a keepsake photo are, from left to right, Dana Clark...

Nicholas/Tobin Insurance of New Milford is honored with the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Award. On hand to accept the award were Jeff Kilberg, left, and Richard Herrington. The award was presented during the Chamberís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield.
Photo: Deborah Rose

Nicholas/Tobin Insurance of New Milford is honored with the Greater...

Bob Hanna, the vice president of the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce, anxiously waits to present a basket of spirits from New Milford Spirit Shoppe to a guest of the Chamberís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield, during the drawing. Looking on is Chamber president Cheryl Bakewell.
Photo: Deborah Rose

Bob Hanna, the vice president of the Greater New Milford Chamber of...

YardApes, Inc. of New Milford is feted by the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce with its Large Business Award. YardApes president Shayne Newman, second from left in back, is joined by staff during the Chamberís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Celebrating their award are, from left to right, front, Ramiro Parra, hardscapes foreman, Elaine Lord, commercial client management, and Kristen Vogt, office manager; and, in back, Jennifer Burks-Newman, Mr. Newman's wife, marketing and public relations, Greg Kaiser, turfgrass specialist, Roberto Angulo, landscape and gardening foreman, Greg Malmberg, residential client management, Michael Herrick, equipment and facilities manager, and Tom Tuminelli, operations manager.
Photo: Deborah Rose

YardApes, Inc. of New Milford is feted by the Greater New Milford...

Gaylordsville residents Liba and Herb Furhman are among the first guests to take to the dance floor for the late Etta Jamesí ìAt Last,î performed by Higher & Higher at the Chamberís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield.
Photo: Deborah Rose

Mr. Piper describes the gala as the Chamber's annual party, a time to celebrate the Chamber, the community as a whole, individuals and businesses.

"It's an opportunity for people to get together and enjoy themselves," he said.

The event draws some 200 to 250 people, with Chamber and non-Chamber members in attendance.

Mrs. Niemiera said she appreciates the social angle of the gala.

"It's nice to see people you do business with in a different environment, one in which they can loosen up," she related.

She cited past galas, some of which were based on a theme -- like Mardi Gras -- and featured activities such as a caricature artist -- venues that provided an opportunity for guests to set business aside and have fun.

"Every year they try to make it a little different, a little better," Mrs. Niemiera said. "They try to keep it fresh."

Since the gala's inception, it has been a fundraiser for the Chamber, with sponsorships available at several levels.

"The Chamber was a lot smaller than it is today and we were looking for ways to beef up membership," said Mike Schultz, who was a member of the first gala committee spearheaded by Patty Dyer and Nancy Clark.

Mr. Schultz said the Chamber wanted something that would make "a splash" while attracting new members.